Author Archives: bfiaguestwriter

Riding the Health Care Reform Roller Coaster Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

Posted on January 26, 2010 by bfiaguestwriter

    [by Karen Metcalf] This last week has probably been the craziest one yet for those of us working on national health care reform.  On Monday I heard that the House and Senate were very close to resolving the … Continue reading →

Posted in Main Page | Tagged | Comments Off on Riding the Health Care Reform Roller Coaster Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

Shopping across Iowa – Twelve Great Places

Posted on December 17, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Cathy Lafrenz] We talk about what is wrong with the economic situation of the country.  We talk about the high un-employment and the low wages of workers.  We talk about the lack of healthy food options in our schools … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Main Page | Tagged | 1 Comment

Interview With Iowa Ag Sec Candidate Francis Thicke – Part IV

Posted on December 9, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Jay Mattsson] Today in the final segment of BFIA’s exclusive interview with Francis Thicke, the candidate discusses slander campaigns, sustainable farming systems, President Obama, and more.  Click here to read Part I     Part II        Part III … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Main Page | Tagged | Comments Off on Interview With Iowa Ag Sec Candidate Francis Thicke – Part IV

Hunger in Iowa

Posted on December 3, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Cathy Lafrenz] It is the week after Thanksgiving and most of us have stuffed ourselves with turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie.  We have had turkey sandwiches, turkey casseroles and pecan pie for breakfast. We are full and now … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Main Page | Tagged | Comments Off on Hunger in Iowa

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Candidate Francis Thicke Exclusive BFIA Interview – Part III

Posted on December 2, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Jay Mattsson] Today in Part III of BFIA’s exclusive interview, Francis Thicke discusses his ideas for a sensible, sustainable, and profitable agriculture future for the state of Iowa.  Click here to read Part I      Click here to read Part … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Main Page, Organic Foods & Farming | Tagged | Comments Off on Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Candidate Francis Thicke Exclusive BFIA Interview – Part III

Iowa Ag Secretary Candidate Francis Thicke Talks to BFIA about rBST, GMOs, CAFOs, and Local Control

Posted on November 25, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Jay Mattsson] Today in Part II of a BFIA exclusive interview, Francis Thicke discusses his ideas for a better agriculture future for the state of Iowa.  Click here to read Part I.   BFIA:  How do you feel about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Main Page | Tagged | Comments Off on Iowa Ag Secretary Candidate Francis Thicke Talks to BFIA about rBST, GMOs, CAFOs, and Local Control

Meet Francis Thicke – Progressive Democrat for Iowa Agriculture Secretary

Posted on November 18, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Jay Mattsson] I’ve known Francis Thicke and his wife, Susan, for over 30 years, and I can testify that he is the real deal. Francis is running for Agriculture Secretary because he has a sincere impulse to engage in … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Iowa in the News, Main Page, Progressive Community | Tagged | Comments Off on Meet Francis Thicke – Progressive Democrat for Iowa Agriculture Secretary

Searching for Iowa’s Agricultural History

Posted on November 14, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Cathy Lafrenz] I am a farmer.  Plain … simple…. a farmer.  I grow food.And I am bothered by the fact that we as Iowans, know more about our I-phones and our cars than we do about the food we … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Iowa in the News, Main Page, Organic Foods & Farming | Tagged | Comments Off on Searching for Iowa’s Agricultural History

Deja Vu All Over Again! Cereal, Sugar, and Iowa Kids

Posted on October 31, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Cathy Lafrenz] Does this really surprise you? Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was a young mother.  I (like lots of Baby Boomers) was a rebellious mother and did such subversive things as nursed my daughter and made … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Farming, Main Page, Organic Foods & Farming | Tagged | 1 Comment

Iowans Turn Wine Into Water

Posted on October 22, 2009 by bfiaguestwriter

[by Cathy Lafrenz] Last week, the World Food Prize was awarded in Des Moines to Gabisa Ejeta for his development of a drought-resistant variety of sorghum. Sorghum is a major food source in the Sudan and drought conditions have left … Continue reading →

Posted in Main Page | Tagged | Comments Off on Iowans Turn Wine Into Water